Outcomes of paediatric community acquired pneumonia

Abstract

Community acquired pneumonia is among the most common causes of hospitalisation in children, despite most cases being successfully managed in ambulatory care. Empyema is the most common complication of hospitalised pneumonia, and although associated with considerable morbidity, death is rare, even in severe disease.Beyond the acute infection, there is a recognised association of paediatric lower respiratory tract infection and impaired lung function over the whole life span. Longitudinal birth cohorts highlight the deleterious effect of paediatric pneumonia on lung function and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a near doubling of respiratory associated mortality in adults. Less clear is how to reconcile this worrisome data with most children only having mild abnormalities on spirometry in paediatric follow up. Recurrent or severe pneumonia is infrequently associated with irreversible lung injury such as bronchiectasis or bronchiolitis obliterans.